WHEREAS, freedom of expression is one of the greatest gifts of mankind, and one which has been defended and preserved since the birth of the United States of America; and

WHEREAS, great comfort is brought to all of us through the expression of human personality as represented by the poets of our nation and the world at large; and

WHEREAS, since the days when the Psalms of David appeared, man has been comforted by the words of wisdom; the expression of truth which seems to emanate from those who engage in the writing of poetry; and

WHEREAS, poetry, as a medium of faith and hope has been a tower of strength to freedom loving people everywhere and continues to exercise its influence on them:

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Elbert N. Carvel, Governor of the State of Delaware, do hereby proclaim Wednesday, October 15, 1952, as

POETRY DAY

and I urge my fellow citizens to cooperate in this observance by, on this day, turning to a good book of poems, or the Holy Bible and be refreshed by the influence which the words of encouragement, of hope and praise sung by the poets can give all of us. And further, I encourage our teachers and students to contribute to this great and powerful medium as a prime manner in which to record the moving events of our present days so that they may be preserved for posterity.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I, Elbert N. Carvel, Governor of the State of Delaware, have hereunto set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the said State to be hereunto affixed at Dover this Sixteenth day of October, in the Year of Our Lord, One Thousand Nine Hundred and Fifty-two, and of the Independence of the United States of America, the One Hundred and Seventy-seventh.